After knuckling down to your studies and achieving success in your nursing or midwifery qualification, it is time to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This is compulsory if you are planning to work in the UK. To avoid having to provide further evidence of your skills, it is best to do this within the first six months after completing your course.
Failing to register in this time period will result in you having to complete a different application form (see NMC online for details) and gain an additional reference from a registered nurse or midwife. This person must sign the supporting declaration and must:
- Have known you for at least one year
- Have had contact with you during the last 6 months of your training
- Be able to confirm your declaration
- Work and be registered in the same part or sub-part of the register that you are applying to.
You have worked so hard over the last few years to become a nurse, completing your registration with the NMC within the first six months after course completion will enable you to launch your career and will prevent you from having to provide additional references.
For people who have trained outside of the UK but wish to work in the UK, please visit https://www.nmc.org.uk for more information regarding registering with the NMC and the requirements.